Technologies for Single-Cell Isolation |
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| Authors: | Andre Gross Jonas Schoendube Stefan Zimmermann Maximilian Steeb Roland Zengerle Peter Koltay |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Laboratory for MEMS Applications, IMTEK–Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, Freiburg 79110, Germany; E-Mails: (A.G.); (J.S.); (S.Z.); (M.S.); (R.Z.);2.Cytena GmbH, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, Freiburg 79110, Germany;3.Hahn-Schickard, Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, Freiburg 79110, Germany;4.BIOSS–Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79110, Germany |
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| Abstract: | The handling of single cells is of great importance in applications such as cell line development or single-cell analysis, e.g., for cancer research or for emerging diagnostic methods. This review provides an overview of technologies that are currently used or in development to isolate single cells for subsequent single-cell analysis. Data from a dedicated online market survey conducted to identify the most relevant technologies, presented here for the first time, shows that FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting) respectively Flow cytometry (33% usage), laser microdissection (17%), manual cell picking (17%), random seeding/dilution (15%), and microfluidics/lab-on-a-chip devices (12%) are currently the most frequently used technologies. These most prominent technologies are described in detail and key performance factors are discussed. The survey data indicates a further increasing interest in single-cell isolation tools for the coming years. Additionally, a worldwide patent search was performed to screen for emerging technologies that might become relevant in the future. In total 179 patents were found, out of which 25 were evaluated by screening the title and abstract to be relevant to the field. |
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| Keywords: | single-cell analysis single-cell handling single-cell separation single-cell technologies flow cytometry laser microdissection limiting dilution microfluidics |
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